DILAN'S P.O.V.
Today was the day. Today Dilan would venture back down into the underground. She couldn't fucking wait to see everyone. It had been too long. Too fucking long. 2 months since the corps had dragged her to the surface. Of course, she had wanted to leave earlier than that, but everyone was still keeping an eye on her and Erwin refused to grant her permission to leave. Of course, she could have escaped easily but didn't want to risk the corps following her and dragging her back up. She might never get freedom again otherwise. But today was the day. Erwin had given her permission to go to town with the squad since it was a free day. Dilan had other plans. She had some shit to do.
The past two months had been a blur of training and healing and planning. Training for the next expedition, healing from her broken ribs and planning for Erwin's murder. She had decided that it would probably be years before she could successfully pull the heist off. It would require meticulous planning and she would also have to fake her own death before being able to escape back to the underground and getting back to life as normal. Irritating that it would take so long but she would preserve. She would avenge her brother's death. Besides, the corps wasn't that bad anymore. Her and the squad had grown a lot closer since the last expedition, especially her and Tab's. She was fun to be around, and Dilan always found herself laughing when she was with the vulgar girl. Her and Toby were pretty close too and she couldn't help but see him as a little brother, even though it hurt to think about her real brother. Things with Brand were weird. She wasn't sure what to think of the guy. He was too nice and too touchy. Sure, Dilan had a laugh with him but she sure as hell didn't trust him and Tabitha was often pulling Brand away from her, which she appreciated deeply. Johnson was still a mystery. She was decent towards him but didn't let down her guard. She wasn't sure if he was still a spy or not and she didn't like the idea what whenever he was around, she was under constant surveillance. Her and Mike had buried the hatchet. He had apologised for the evaluation and she had promised to be more obedient during expeditions, although she did point out she didn't regret her decisions and Mike respected that. He was an alright guy and actually reminded her of Joel quite a bit.
Levi was a different story. Things had changed since her breakdown on the roof. He had taken to treating her normally, like the other members of the squad. Still lost his shit when she messed up and cleaning the stable did eventually get old, but it was almost like he avoided her. They hadn't been alone together since the roof and honestly, Dilan was glad. The man was too strong, and it made her uncomfortable. He still looked at her with suspicion and Dilan was pretty sure that would never go away. Although in the man's defence he was absolutely right. She was planning something. Not at first but the plan was being developed and Dilan was glad for her breakdown if it had gotten Levi off her back for the moment.
A knock on the door brought Dilan out of her musings. She had just finished trimming her fringe and hair since it had gotten a bit scraggily when the door burst open and Tabitha walked into the room like she owned the place. Dilan was used to this though. Tab's was always casual around her.
"Yo, underground girl. You almost ready?" She smiled, ruffling up her hair that she had just brushed. Dilan trust to her with a deadpan look, one of her eyes covered by hair.
"Seriously tabs." She asked in a monotoned voice. Tabs grinned and Dilan cracked a smile, rolling her eyes as she quickly fixed her hair. As soon as she put down the brush Tabitha grabbed her by the elbow and sprinted out the room. "Woah! Fucking slow down!" Dilan yelled as she is struggling not to fall over. Tabitha laughed manically and sped up her running, weaving in between body's poorly and knocking into a fair few people until the reached the stable entrance and they both leant on their knees breathing heavily from the workout. "Was that... really... necessary." Dilan gasped. Tabitha took a second to regain some composure before laughing and slapping her on the back.
"Totally. This is my first time going into town with someone who isn't those gross boys! Get ready to shop, girl." Tabitha smirked. Dilan blinked up at her and cocked her head.
"Shop?" She asked. What was shopping?
"You know, clothes? Buying things?" Tabitha spelt out slowly. Dilan furrowed her brows in confusion.
"Like with money?" She asked and Tabitha blinked at her before snorting in amusement.
"Idiot. Yes, with money." She rolled her eyes. Dilan hummed in thought. Like what merchants do at markets.
"Tabs, I don't have any money." She replied.
"Sure, you do. The corps get wages, your no different." Tabitha pointed out. Dilan shook her head.
"I'm a redeeming criminal." She pointed at herself. Tabitha chuckled and put her hand on her head.
"You still get wages for risking your life. I'm sure if you ask Erwin, he'll give you your pay." She suggested. Dilan shrugged; it couldn't hurt to ask.
Dilan felt the hairs prick on the back of her neck and she turned around in time to grab the leg that was hurtling towards her in the air. She ducted under and wrapped her arm around it, kicking out the attached leg, sending the person to the dirt. She was quick to flip them over onto their stomach before they could get back up and restrained their arms behind there back.
"Pathetic." She mocked as Brand groaned.
"Whoo! That's my girl!" Tabitha cheered as the squad laughed and Dilan let go of Brand, helping him up.
"What did I do wrong this time?!" He pouted, ruffing the dirt out of his brown fluffy hair. Dilan smiled and rolled her eyes. Brand had asked her to teach him how to fight better. Dilan had taught him the basics, improving his stance but said he wouldn't even be considered decent until he could get a single blow on her. This had been going on for a month now and Brand hadn't managed it.
"Idiot." She retorted, flicking him on the forehead. "Look around you. What is today?" She asked. Brand frowned in confusion.
"Sunday?" He asked stupidly. Tabitha sniggered behind them and Dilan flicked him on the forehead again. "Ouch! Enough with the flicking!" He protested. Dilan crossed her arms.
"Today is sunny. What does sun cause?" She asked in a slow patronising tone. Brand bit his lip in thought.
"Shadows!" Toby grinned happily and Dilan laughed, nodding and patting the boy on the head.
"That's right. You need to use the environment to your advantage. I saw your shadow advancing on me way before you actually were." Dilan explained, smiling as Tabitha put an arm around her shoulder and the others looked to her in silent awe.
"My girls smart, unlike you fools." She teased, leaning the side of her head against Dilan's. The others laughed as Brand frowned.
"I'll get there one day; I just need to keep practicing." He huffed. Dilan smiled and rolled her eyes, heading inside the stables.
"You need to use that thing some people call a brain." She called; hearing laughter erupt behind her. Dilan smiled so herself. She couldn't say she hated it, this having friend business. That would be a lie.
Once the horses were all saddled up, they guys said they would wait for her while she went to see Erwin and asked if she had any spending money. Realistically, she needed some new clothes, even if she didn't plan on staying in town for too long. All she currently owned in terms of possession was her corps uniform, a toothbrush and hairbrush. It wouldn't be bad to have a pair of trousers and a t-shirt for her days off.
Dilan got to Erwin's office and knocked on the door. she wondered whether the bastard got a day off too. She silently hoped he didn't, silently hoping he would work himself to exhaustion. She was brought out of her dark thoughts by a response.
"Name and Business."
"Dilan. Personal." She replied and heard a come in. She opened the door and gave the man a half assed salute. It was safe to say, they still weren't on good terms and they both knew how much she disrespected him. Neither of them had brought it up yet though.
"Dilan. What are you here for? I thought I gave you permission to go to town?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Dilan had to force herself not to snap back that it was her fucking life and he shouldn't have any control over what she did or didn't do. But she didn't and forced a smile.
"Yes sir. But one of my squad mates suggested that we might go shopping and-"
"You have no money." He inferred, slightly amused. Dilan willed herself not to punch the smug bastard in the face.
"I'm not asking for cash, sir. I won't take charity. However, if I'm supposed to get pay for my work then it's only right that I get it, same as everyone else." She countered. Erwin smiled that annoying smile.
"Yes, of course. I was reluctant to give you your pay slips at first, you understand. But I believe you have proved yourself to the corps." He explained, pulling out his desk draw and looking through a few files before pulling out a small brown envelope and handing it to her. Dilan took it cautiously. Was it really that easy? She didn't want to wait around and find out.
"Thank you, sir." She replied, saluted and turned to leave.
"Dilan." Erwin said seriously and Dilan turned to look at him. "I hope you know where your loyalties should lie by now." He added, face stern with meaning. Dilan didn't really know what to reply to that since all she want to do was yell that her loyalties certainly didn't belong to him. But she wanted to leave so she simply nodded and opened the door. She walked out and the world seemed to slow down as Levi walked past her and they locked eyes for a second. She felt herself drowning in those deep silver pools before the world sped up again and she left down the hall. She supressed a shiver as goose bumps covered her arms. She hated that he had such an effect on her without doing anything. His existence was a threat to her. He was the only one in the world that could destroy her, and she didn't like knowing that.
Dilan shook the thoughts out of her head as she re-joined the group in the sun and mounted her horse.
"Let's go!" Toby cheered and everyone yelled out their excited agreements. Dilan chuckled. These people were so simply. She envied them.
LEVI'S P.O.V.
Levi felt his pulse speed up as he watched Dilan walk away out of his sight and cursed himself quietly for such a stupid reaction. The girl fazed him on so many different levels. She was the only one who had ever come close to beating him in battle so that put him on edge around her. She was smart, too smart to keep your guard down. She was kind and selfless which he couldn't wrap his head around. But she also had this evil side to her, the side that liked death and destruction, the side that he was constantly supressing in himself, but Dilan seemed to revel in it. The side that wanted to kill scum. That wanted to satisfy its bloodlust. Dilan brought out that side in him which is why he strived to be out of her company as much as possible. Of course, the fact that he still felt regretful for how he treated her must of contributed and how even though most of him was sure the brat didn't have a purpose here he was still sceptical. But he had no reason to be and it made him feel like a shit person for discriminating against her just like others used to discriminate against him when he first arrived.
Levi sighed and refocused. Thinking about the brat would do him no good. There were too many layers there and it would only frustrate him. he turned back to the door and knocked. Erwin had called for him and he was pissed off about it. He had a lot of nothing to do today and he wanted to start on it.
"Come in, Levi." Erwin's voice called and Levi opened the door, walking in the room. He only ever saluted the commander when they were in someone else's presence. Even though he decided to follow him in the fight, didn't mean Levi didn't still resent him for what the blonde had done to his friends. He would never forgive him for that and they both knew it. Levi was about to drop down on the armchair and tell the man to get the fuck on with whatever he wanted to tell him, but Erwin stopped him. "This will be quick, no need to sit down." He explained and Levi nodded, crossing his arms. He liked the sound of that.
"Hurry up with it then." He encouraged. Erwin chuckled and nodded, signing some documents while they talked.
"I need you for a job today. Dilan's gained permission to go into town with the rest of Mike squad but I believe she may try something. The girls not stupid enough to escape and expect we won't follow her, but I don't have a doubt that she will stay away from the underground. When she slips away from the squad and goes back down, I want you to tail her and report back to me." Erwin explained nonchalantly and Levi bit back a growl.
"Erwin this is grunt work that any cadet here can do. Why are you always putting this brat on me?" He snapped. Erwin glanced up at him with those cold calculating eyes.
"Do you need me to say it? Due to your underground ties, you are the better soldier for the job." Erwin said without emotion. Levi clenched his fists. He was fucking done with the underground. Was it going to be thrown back in his face for the rest of his life? He took a breath to calm down and unclenched his fists.
"Fine. But I better see this overtime in my paycheck next month. I've been looking forward to this free day all fucking week." He mumbled. Erwin chuckled.
"Well they are headed to town. Keep your distance and enjoy the day." Erwin suggested. Levi glared at him before heading out of the office in a foul mood. Enjoy the day? What a fucking idiot.
DILAN P.O.V.
As soon as they got to Sina, Dilan's day became a flurry of movement, shops and people. Tabitha dragged her and the boys in every single shop. Dilan had tried to resist at first, telling the girl there was no way she could afford any of these prices, but the boys had told her not to bother. They had been on enough of these trips to know if Tabitha wanted to buy something, she would buy it. They weren't wrong either. As it turned out, Tab's was an amazing haggler, negotiating with the shop keeper until they were to the brink of crying and just gave the item to Tabitha at the price she wanted. Dilan was both impressed and terrified.
It was nearing lunch time and Dilan and the boys had managed to drag Tabitha away from the shops to settle down at a café. Dilan had never been so exhausted. It was safe to say she did not enjoy shopping. Stealing was fun. It gave her a rush of adrenaline and she had to use her brains. Shopping was both mindless and pointless, but Tabitha had fun, so she was happy too. She was lugging around various bags and she had no idea what was in them even though Tab's claimed they were full of all of her stuff. Guess it would be a surprise.
She hadn't had a chance to slip away yet, but she wasn't as resentful as she thought she would be about that fact. She was having fun with the squad. She had never been on a day out before. She had never brought such luxuries and she had never had such fancy food. She was living the life her brother always wanted her to have. Dilan just wished he was there to share it with her.
They had just finished with lunch and were walking down the street towards a bookstore that Toby wanted to look in.
"Hey Dilan." Tabitha whispered besides her while the boys were engaged in a heated discussion about who was the most talented in 3DGM out of the three of them. Dilan looked at her curiously and leaned in closer. They were a good few meters away from the boys.
"Yes?" She whispered back, watching as an evil smirk made its way onto Tabitha's face.
"Hypothetical question. Which one of the boys would you most want to fuck?" She asked shamelessly and Dilan stared at her with wide eyes as her whole face started to heat up.
"WHAT?!" She hissed quietly. Tabitha chuckled and pat her on the head.
"It's hypothetical so calm down. Just simply curious. Go on, answer it." She provoked. Dilan looked at the ground, trying to think of a way out of this situation.
"Tabs, I really don't want to do this." She whined. Tabitha frowned.
"Please! I promise I won't tell anyone! But here, I'll tell you mine first, so you have blackmail against me to keep quiet." She compromised.
"I'm not so sure that would work. Your pretty shameless." She mumbled and Tabitha elbowed her in the ribs. "Ow! Fuck you, they are still sore." She hissed. Tabitha ignored her aggressions and tapped her chin while eying up the boys.
"It would have to be Brand, for me. Personally, I find Johnson quite handsome but he's younger than me and that gives me the heebie-jeebies." Tabitha admitted. Dilan smiled and rolled her eyes.
"You're such a freak." She replied and Tabitha grinned.
"I know. Your turn." She ordered. Dilan sighed, chewing on her lip and forcing down a blush as she looked at the boys. This was making her cringe, hard. She didn't see any of them in that way. She didn't see any man in that way. Not since that night. "Remember this includes the whole of the squad. Mike and Levi are options too." She smirked devilishly and Dilan jumped back in surprise.
"What?!" She shrieked. Tabitha laughed and shook her head in disbelief.
"You're so innocent. Have you even had your first kiss?" She teased. Dilan huffed and crossed her arms, not liking to be mocked. And she wasn't exactly innocent either, but she didn't want to think about that.
"There's no time for shit like that in the underground." She grumbled, annoyed. Tabitha's eyes softened in understanding and she pulled her closer in a sideways hug.
"Fair enough, kid. But we do have time now so answer the question." She said in a sing song voice, poking Dilan's cheek until she cracked a smile. "Come on, do it logically. We all know you love to do things logically." She pointed out. Dilan sighed.
"Fine. Logically, I would first eliminate the age groups too high or too low. That means Mike, Johnson and Toby are out." She said systematically. Tabitha hummed.
"I mean Mike's only 27. I'd bang him." She shrugged. Dilan gave her a deadpan look.
"Dude. You need help." She said, monotoned. Tabitha laughed loudly.
"Probably right. Being a soldier makes you super horny though. I miss my ex." She sighed. Dilan blinked.
"You had a boyfriend?" She asked. Tabitha nodded.
"Back in the training corps. We broke up because he decided he was a coward and joined the MP's. He was a shitty person but a god in the sheets." She shrugged. Dilan laughed and rolled her eyes. "So that leaves Levi and Brand. Choose one." She urged and Dilan groaned, putting her hands over her face. she hoped she had forgot about that. "Having trouble?" Dilan nodded.
"Do I have to do this?"
"Yes. Here, I'll help you. Completely take away emotion and personality. Strip the people down to their looks and looks alone. Which one are you more attracted to? That will tell you which one you would rather fuck. It's basic biology." Tabitha explained casually, as if she was talking about the weather. Dilan didn't know if she had ever been more embarrassed. Still, two months with the girl told her she wasn't going to drop this. Better just choose one. Dilan took a second to think about it. Brand was cute but half of that was due to his charm. If they were talking purely based on appearance, then as much as the man put her on edge, she would have to pick Levi. If Dilan did have a type, she imagined Levi would be in that category. There was no denying the man was breath-taking, it was just hard to see that past his shitty attitude. "Got an answer?" She asked with a smirk, probably after seeing Dilan's cheeks heat up all the way in utter mortification. What happened to the brutal assassin she used to be? "Want to whisper it to me?" She asked. Dilan nodded again. She knew no one around her cared and the boys were too far up front to hear but it would make her feel better anyway. Dilan leaned closer to Tabitha and the girl crouched down a bit so Dilan could whisper 'Levi' in her ear. "Ha! I knew it! I knew you thought he was hot!" Tabitha exclaimed and Dilan groaned.
She was about to retort but a stumble behind her made her ears prick and she turned around in time to see the flaps of a windmill outside of a store going around, despite the fact that there was no wind present. Dilan noticed there was an alley way there and that where the noise of the stumble occupied, there was no one present. All of these things told her one thing that made her whole body stand on edge. There was someone following them.
"Tabs I need to leave for a bit." Dilan said out of the blue, handing Tabitha her bags. She needed to lead the pursuer away from the squad. She couldn't risk them getting hurt if it was someone from the underground tailing her. They were smart or she would have noticed them tailing her already. It was broad daylight for gods' sakes. The tall girl blinked at her.
"Why?" she asked, confused. Dilan sighed.
"Do you trust me?" She asked. Tabitha hesitated and Dilan swallowed, waiting quietly in anticipation.
"Yes." She replied truthfully. Dilan smiled, her usually cold heart-warming slightly at that.
"Then you'll trust me that I'm doing this for a reason, and I will be back soon. I'll meet you back at headquarters okay?" She said seriously and Tabitha nodded. Luckily the girl had the good sense not to question her at a time like this.
Dilan broke into a jog towards the underground stairs. If they were going to do this, it was going to be on her turf. She just hoped the pursuer wouldn't confront her until then.
A/N: Hey! I just wanted to say thanks to those who are reading my story so far, it means a lot! I know this chapter was a little short and dry but I promise we're about to get into a good bit so hang tight. I also wanted to apologise about the warnings that I have been forgetting to post. I'll do my best to keep on top of them from now on. Thanks again! Like and review if you want me to keep going! X
